News
This page collects stories on developments throughout the Pacific in promoting women in politics. Because many news sites in the Pacific archive their stories after a period of time, we have replicated the stories in full on this page, to keep an archive on efforts and article in the region. We thank all Pacific news colleagues for their contributions in sharing stories on women in politics. If you have a story we have missed, please send it to the PacWIP team on pacwip@gmail.com.
Vui Florence Saulo only woman in the new House, American Samoa
09th November, 2012
The only woman candidate successful in her bid for public office this election year is Vui Florence Vaili Saulo, the newest faipule for Tuala-uta. A total of 9 women candidates vied for seats in the House of Representatives on Tuesday’s election. Vui, who polled 1,141 votes will join incumbent Larry Sanitoa as the two representatives for District 15. Vui is a self-made business woman who...
Vanuatu Votes: All female candidates miss out in election
02nd November, 2012
None of the 10 women who contested the Vanuatu national election on Tuesday have succeeded in winning a seat. The country’s electoral commission won’t announce the final results until next week, but according to unofficial counts none of the 52 seats in parliament will go to a female candidate. Jenny Ligo, one of five women running...
Palau: Sandra Pierantozzi announces write-in bid for Senator
21st October, 2012
PALAU ELECTION UPDATES – NEW CANDIDATES FOR SENATE Women Candidates for Senate: Ms Regina Mesebeluu (Incumbent) Ms Kathy Kesolei (Incumbent) Ms Rukebai Kikuo Skey Inabo Ms J Risong Tarkong Ms Kilmei Olkeriil Ms J Uduch Sengebau Senior Ms Sandra Sumang Pierantozzi (Write-in) – announced 8 October 2012 About 45% of Palauan voters reside outside of Palau, and at the last election voter turnout amounted to roughly half of those resident in Palau. Encourage voter participation...
More female political candidates approved in Vanuatu
17th October, 2012
On the approved list, 17 out of 346 are female political candidates: Eta Rory (VLP) Malekula Rossie Jacob (IND) Ambrym Nicole Jimmy (GC) Tongoa Rosemary Antas (VP) Malo/Aore Marion Luen (MPP) Shepherds Jennifer Manua (NUP) Southern Outer Islands Marie Nicolas (VNP) Banks/Torres Fanny Cyrel (PPP) Efate Purity Tavue (KDP) Santo Lettie Kaltongga (VLP) Port Vila Hilda Lini (IND) Port Vila Jenny Ligo Viregagaru (IND) Port Vila Wendy Himford (KDP) Port Vila Maryanne Bani (IND) Port Vila Mankin Rita Valia (VPP) Epi Tasso Leinavai (VP) Epi Enny Yonah (VPP) Epi Source: The approved candidate...
Only 4 women amongst 274 candidates to contest Vanuatu elections
12th October, 2012
Only four women have been listed so far to contest the general elections in Vanuatu at the end of this month. The four are among 274 candidates the Electoral Commission named on Thursday. They are Eta Rory, Letty Kaltonga, Nicole Kaloran Jimmy and Rossie Mothy Jacob. Mrs Rory was the only female elected into parliament in the 2008 elections. More than 18 women...
A call for women to have half the seats in Fiji’s parliament
12th October, 2012
Half the seats in Fiji’s parliament, half the members of the Great Council of Chiefs and half of all positions in ever political body in the country should be reserved for women. That’s according to a submission to the Constitution Commission made earlier today by the the Fiji Womens Rights Movement and the Fiji Womens Crisis Centre. Tara Chetty, program...
Policy Makers Undergo Gender Awareness and Analysis Training
12th October, 2012
10 – 12 October 2012, Rarotonga, Cook Islands “This is the first targeted training for government officials to undergo training on gender awareness and analysis to support them in their role to mainstream gender into public policy and programmes in Cook Islands”, says Ruth Pokura, Director for Gender and Development Division, Ministry of Internal Affairs Cook Islands. The training...
Cook Islands women meet with the aim of getting more women into decision-making bodies
02nd October, 2012
Cook Islands women are having their bi-ennial meeting this week in Rarotonga running parallel to the Commonwealth Local Governance Project. The main aim is to get more women into decision making bodies from the local government level right up to the parliament. Listen to the interview online. Presenter:Geraldine Coutts Speaker:Ulamila Kurai Wragg, journalist, Cook Islands [Radio Australia]
Vaosa Epa has been reappointed as the Chief Exectuive Officer of Samoa’s Cabinet and the Ministry of Prime Minister
02nd October, 2012
In Samoa, Vaosa Epa has been reappointed as the Chief Exectuive Officer of Samoa’s Cabinet and the Ministry of Prime Minister. Ms Epa was the first woman ever to be appointed to that post when she replaced the former head, Va’asatiaPoloma Komiti. She’s one of the growing number of women leaders in the Pacific and she joins us now on the line from Apia. Listen...
Sandra does not advance following primary elections in Palau
28th September, 2012
With slightly less than 8,000 voters – 7,946 to be exact – casting their vote in last Tuesday’s primary election, the race for the office of the president wasn’t even a close one with the final outcome of who will be the next president may have even been decided. Sen. Tommy E. Remengesau, Jr., who is vying...
SI Women proud of their ministry
26th September, 2012
Women leaders praised former prime minister Manasseh Sogavare for establishing the Ministry for Women, Youth, and Children Affairs. Director of Voice BloMere Solomon, a group representing women in the country, Josephine Teakeni, says the ministry ensures women’s issues are addressed. “The establishment of this ministry was significant for women because it had been bringing up issues affecting them to the...
UNDP offers six-point plan to fast-track women in politics in Asia-Pacific
21st September, 2012
Gender Equality in Elected Office in Asia Pacific (2012 Report) (some key illustrations and comparisons) It will take 50 years for gender balance to be achieved in Asia-Pacific national legislatures if the increase in women’s participation in parliaments remains at the current pace, says a UN Development Programme (UNDP) study released this week. Economic progress will...